Is It Still Worth Living in Newfoundland in 2025?

The Future of Newfoundland: Dying, Surviving, or Transforming?

Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada’s easternmost province, is a place of rugged coastlines, fierce community pride, and deep historical roots. But in recent years, the question has emerged—often painfully and controversially—is Newfoundland a dying province?

From economic downturns to population decline, the narrative can seem bleak. Yet beneath the surface lies a more nuanced story of transition, resilience, and the possibility of transformation.

Understanding the "Backwards" Label

A recent online debate brought this question into sharp focus. A mainlander now living in St. John’s described Newfoundland as “backwards”—a comment that understandably ruffled feathers. However, the commenter later clarified that by “backwards,” they meant that Newfoundland hasn’t quite “caught up to the rest of the world,” especially in terms of infrastructure, public transit, and modern economic diversification.

And while some locals bristled at the word, others nodded in quiet agreement. There’s a duality in Newfoundland’s identity—where cultural charm and community warmth coexist with growing frustration about stagnation, aging infrastructure, and economic limitations.

The Decline of Traditional Industries

Newfoundland’s economic heartbeat has long been tied to natural resources. First, it was the cod fishery—until its catastrophic collapse in the early 1990s. Then came offshore oil and gas, bringing a short-lived boom. But as global energy trends shift toward renewables and oil prices fluctuate, that too appears to be waning.

Paper mills and other industrial jobs are now shadows of what they once were. This reliance on single-sector economies has left the province vulnerable and exposed. And while resource economies are common in Canada, Newfoundland’s geographic isolation and small population compound the issue.

The Demographic Dilemma

Perhaps the most pressing concern is demographic. Newfoundland’s population is aging, shrinking, and increasingly urbanized. Outmigration has plagued the province for decades, with young people leaving for education and never returning. Smaller outport communities—once thriving hubs—are now hollowing out, their futures uncertain.

In 2024, Newfoundland did see a small population uptick of 1.2%, thanks to immigration and a return of some retirees. But with a birthrate well below replacement and a healthcare system under immense strain, long-term sustainability remains in question.

Life in St. John's: Growth or Sprawl?

While rural Newfoundland struggles, St. John’s and the surrounding Northeast Avalon region are expanding outward. Suburban developments are replacing farmland. Places like Galway and Kenmount Terrace are growing rapidly, but critics argue this is unchecked sprawl, not thoughtful urban planning.

Public transportation remains underdeveloped, forcing car dependency in a time when affordability and environmental sustainability should be top priorities. The city risks growing outward without growing up—in both a literal and metaphorical sense.

The High Cost of "Cheap Living"

Newfoundland was once prized for its affordability. Modest home prices and low crime were part of the appeal. But in recent years, real estate prices in St. John’s have soared, and crime has increased—a troubling trend for a province where wages remain among the lowest in the country.

And the cost of living—groceries, fuel, electricity—has climbed sharply, making the island feel more isolated economically than ever before. With limited options for public transit and healthcare services stretched thin, residents often feel left behind by both provincial and federal governments.

Bright Spots: From Film to Tourism

Yet, not all is bleak.

The province has seen sparks of innovation and opportunity. The film industry is beginning to take root, with international productions drawn to Newfoundland’s unique landscapes and cost-effective production. Bonavista and other towns are being revitalized by a mix of tourism, entrepreneurship, and yes—even “hipster” investment.

Sustainable fishery practices, renewable energy exploration, and growing interest in cultural tourism provide new hope—if they can be scaled and supported properly.

Newfoundlanders are famously proud, creative, and loyal to their communities. These are powerful assets, but they need infrastructure, vision, and investment to be fully realized.

The Road Ahead: Transformation, Not Death

Is Newfoundland dying? It may feel that way to some. But perhaps “dying” isn’t the right word. The province is at a turning point—a moment of reckoning with the past, facing uncomfortable truths, and figuring out how to move forward.

The real question isn’t whether Newfoundland is dying—it’s whether it can reinvent itself. The next 20 years will be critical. Will leadership emerge with a bold, inclusive vision? Will Newfoundlanders be empowered to build industries, infrastructure, and communities that serve future generations?

Or will apathy, political inertia, and outmigration push the province further into decline?

Only time—and action—will tell.